Switch-operating device.



D. H. MoDANIELS.

SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED A2314, 1911.

1,024,735. Patented Apr. 30, 19 12.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES lNvENToR ATTORNEY 1). H. MGDANIBL'S.

SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.14,1911. I 1,024,735. Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WWW" I j. I [I j WlTNESES INVENTOR ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH OD, WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICFi.

DAVID E. MCDANIELS, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH-OPERATING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID H. MODANIELS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operating Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to certain improvements in switch operating devices, and more particularly to a novel construction of switch tongue to cooperate with operating mechanism mounted upon the car, of that type whereby the motorman can actuate the switch from the car to proceed on either track as desired.

The objects of the invention are to provide a switch tongue which is so formed as to adapt it to be easily moved in either direction by the actuating element, and to automatically reset itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide upon the car, an actuating element which may be set to throw the switch to.

the right or left as required, or be held in a non-operating position when it is seen that the switch is already set in the required position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this class that shall be cheap, sim )le of operation, easy to install, and not a ected by wagon wheels or differently equipped cars passing over the same.

\Vith these and other objects in View, my invention consists in certain construction and combination of parts as will hereinafter be fully described and claimed in the annexed specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like figures of reference refer to corresopnding parts in all of the views; but it is fully understood that while I have here described my invention as shown, that I do not confine myself to the exact design, as slight changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings :Figure 1, is a partial side elevation of a car showing the operating mechanism attached thereto, in a lowered position to engage the switch tongue. Fig. 2, is a top plan View of the same with a part of the car platform removed, and also showing the switch tongue in both of its Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 14, 1911.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

Serial No. 621,009.

positions. Fig. 3, is a similar view to Fig. 1, but showing the operatlng mechanlsm raised, and the car wheels passing over the tongue projection or extension. Fig. 4, is a detail View of the switch tongue with the cover removed. Fig. 5, is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 6, is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 7 is an end view of the car.

Referring to the drawings, the rails of the main track are indicated by the numerals 1, and 2, and the branch tracks by 3, and 4.

The switch tongue comprises the main tongue member 5, which is pivoted on the pivot post 6, with its tapered end freely movable from side to side on, and limited by, the stop plate 7 which is secured to a tie in such a way that when the switch tongue 5, is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the car wheel would ordinarily take the left hand track and when the tongue 5, assumed the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 2, the car would take the right hand track. The tongue member 5, is formed with a tapered compartment 8, extending to the point of the tongue and communicating at the rear or enlarged end with an orifice 9, within which is mounted a compressing spring 10, and a plunger 11. Within said compartment 8, near the outer or small end thereof, is pivoted a tongue extension 12, which is tapered toward its outer or free end and secured upon its inner end by a link 13, to'the plunger 11, in such a manner that the rear portion of said extension 12, or that part which is in the compartment 8, can be moved from side to side of said compartment 8, and will be retained normally against either side of said compartment 8, or off center by the action of the spring 10, and plunger 11; the position of the pivot point 14, with reference to the length of the tongue extension 12, determining the throw of the taper end of said extension. Said tongue extension 12, is of less height than the tongue member 5, so that the car wheel may pass over it; and the compartment 8, and orifice 9, are provided with a cap 15, secured by the screw 16, and pivot post 14. The tapered end of said tongue extension 12, rests and slides upon a guide stop 17, secured to the tie which limits its actions; and it will thus be noted that the point of the extension 12, always assumes an opposite direction with respect to the rail, than the end of the tongue member 5; and when the free end of the tongue is against the rail, the free end of the extension is away from the rail and vice-versa.

As the tongue 5, is shown set in 1* ig. 2, the car would naturally take the left hand track, the car wheels passing over the top of the extension 12; but it it is desired to have the car take the right hand track, a shoe or pilot wheel 18, is employed which is mounted in a swing frame 19, pivoted to the car track 20, as near the wheels 21, as possible; said 1: *ame 10, being normally retained in a lowered position with the pilot wheel 18, running on the track by a compression spring 22. Said wheel 18, and frame 19, are adapted to be raised against the tension of the spring 22, by a link 23, attached to the forward part of the frame 19, and to a foot lever 24;, mounted on the car platform 25, which is held by a pawl 26, and ratchet sector 27.

The pilot wheel 18 is formed with a longer flange 28, than the flange of the wheels 21, which enters between the rail and the side of the extension 12, forcing the tongue 5, over and allowing the car to take the right hand track, and as the tongue 5, is forced over, the extension 12, takes the opposite position and leaves the switch in the proper position for the next car to take the opposite track unless otherwise desired.

\Vhile I have preferably employed a wheel for operating the switch tongue, a shoe can also be employed or other suitable means.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A switch operating device of the class described, comprising a tongue member pivoted to the track, an extension pivoted to the free end of said tongue member, means for limiting both the swing of said tongue and said extension, means for normally retaining the free end of said extension in an opposite direction from the free end of said tongue, and means for reversing their positions by the movement of said tongue memher.

2. In a switch operating device of the class described, the combination with a switch tongue actuating device carried by the car, of a tongue member pivoted upon the track, said tongue member formed with a tapered recess in the body thereof, an ex tension member pivoted to the free end of said tongue and within said recess, and means mounted Within said tongue member and attached to said extension member for normally retaining said extension at the extreme of its swing and for reversing its position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID H. MQDANIELS.

Witnesses WM. J. COULTER, JOHN J. THOMPSON Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1). G. 

